Power press ironer



Dec. 7 1926.

W. J. LEWIS POWER PRESS IRONER 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 12

. Patented D... 7, 19 26.-

W IDLIAI -T. LE WII IS, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

POWER PRESS IB NER.

Application filed December 12, 1925. Serial No. 75,127.

. This invention relates to improvements in press ironers, designed for use by laundries, tailors, and he like, and has for its ob ect to provide a power operated machine, to take the place of the common foot-power ironers, wherein live steam is employed directly for 'efiecting the pressing and ironing, and wherein the heating of the movable presserhead and the stationary buck, is effected by the exhaust from the main cylinder that operates the presser-head. A further object is to provide a novel and simple valve for controlling the admission of the steam to the main cylinder, the said'valve also controlling the flow of the exhaust steam from the main cylinderdirect to the presser-head and thence to the buck. for suitably heating sa d parts, and for maintaining the presser-head and buck at substantially constant temperatures without loss or waste, and thereby obviating'thenecessity of providing separate means for heating-the pressing parts as well as separate means for controlling said heating; the said valve being designed especially for producing a steam cushion by means of which the head is prevented from ascending and descending too rapidly or in a jerky manner. A further object is to provide a novel guard. which substantially surrounds so the head and buck like a cage, primarily for protecting the operators hands from injury arising from accidental or careless contact with the heated pressing parts, the said guard being pivotally supported by the frame of the machine and being operatively connected with said valve and serving as the sole means by which the operator controls the lowering and raising of the presser-head as well. as theflow of the exhaust steam towards the head and buck. The said ard furthermore is arranged to effect the locking of the head in the raised position for preventing thehead from gravitating towards the buck in case the steam pressure fails or is shut Oil. And a further object is to provide a novel locking means for the head which is arranged to gravitate towards the locking position, and which is elevaed or released by the lowering of the. guar I attain these objects by the means set forth in the detailed description which follows, and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in whichigure 1 is a front side elevation of the machine; showing the working parts'in the position for-effecting the pressing or ironmg. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same; showin by full and dotted lines the pressing an the release position of the head and guard. Fig. 3 is an enlarged broken side View and partial central vertical section of the pressing cylinder and its controlling valve; the full lines in the section indicating the position of the parts when the presserhead is in full release. Fig. 4 is a side view of the bell-crank which connects the guard with the valve. Fig. 5 is a vertical crosssection, taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the locking dog. Fig. 7 is a sectional view'taken through the piston-and valve cylinders, to show the manner of operating the piston.

In the drawings, 2 represents generally the frame of the machine, comprising up-- right rear portions 2, and a reduced forwardly projecting portion 2, which supports the usual buck 3, by means of an intervemng pedestal 3. The buck 3 may follow any of the well-known constructions and need not be described in 'detail, except to say that it is hollow and may be heated by steam or other medium. 4 is the movable head b which the pressing and ironing is eflecte and is rigidly mounted on the forward end of a forked arm 4, so as to position the head directly over the buck during the pressing and ironing operations. The presser arm 4' is pivoted in the frame portions 2, preferably by means of similar alining hollow axles indicated at 4* and 4". in Figs. 1 and 2; the axles et -4" preferably comprising similar sections of pipes. The arm 4' extends'rearwardly and downwardly from its pivots and its lower end is formed with a loop or eye 4 to which a piston rod 5 of the main operating cylinder 5' is pivotally connected, by a pin 4?. The outer end of the piston rod proper is fitted with one. member 5 of a universal coupling, which is pivoted to a second member 5", as best seen in Figs. 2

and 3, and the latter member being connected with the arm 4!, by means of a short rod 5. The cylinder 5'is preferably disposed at an angle to the horizontal, by means of a shelf or ledge 2, which is disposed at the properincline for effecting connection With the pivot 4. Upon the rod 5 is mounted the usual piston 5, which is shown in Fig. 3 in the position for moving and holding the head 4 in the release position, Fig. 3 and by the dotted lines in Fig. 2.

The cylinder 5 is preferably operated by steam obtained directly from a boiler (not.

' charge with the live steam, and said chamher is also in constant communication with the chamber 6', by means of similar ports 6 which are preferably respectively disposed near the opposite ends of the cylinder 6, as shown in Fig. 3. The flow of the steam towards the opposite ends of the main cylinder 5' is controlled by valves, as 6", which are mounted upon a common. rod 6, whose outer end is operatively connected with a bell-crank 7, the latter being pivoted to the frame portion 2, by a bolt 7 An arm 7 of the bell-crank is pivoted-to one member 8 of a universal coupling, the second member 8' being rigid on the outer end of rod 6. The rocking of the bell-crank moves the valves 6 in the direction for suplying steam to the upper end of cylinder 5', or raising the head 4 away from the buck 3. When the valves 6' are reversed, the steam flows from chamber 6 via a pipe 5 to lower end ofcylinder 5, and moves the head-4 towards the buck 3.

The head and buck arepreferably heated by the exhaust from cylinder 5', which alternately flows back from the opposite ends of cylinder 5' to chamber 6' via the pipes 5'5, as will be understood by the full and dotted positions of valves 6' in Fig.3. When the exhaust returns to chamber 6' by either of said pipes it flows out again via a relatively small port 6*, and a pipe 9, the latter delivering the exhaust to the hollow axle 4 from which a pipe 9' carries it into the head 4:. The exhaust circulates around the interior of the head, in a well-known manner, and escapes via a pipe 9, thence through the axle 4" and a pipe 9 to the buck 3. From the buck the exhaust flows via a pipe 9", in a more or less advanced state of condensation, to a trap 10, that collects the Water of condensation and discharges it into a pi e10, which preferably carries the waste heating fluid back to the boiler (not shown). This means for heating the head and buck by the exhaust, effects a great saving of steam, simplifies the working and controlling parts of the machine, cheapens its operation, and besides rendcrs the heating of the pressing elements and the disposal of the condensation entirely automaticno valves, levers, nor other parts that require attention or opera= tion by the machine attendant being necessary. 'The condensation or drip from cylinder 5 is carried to trap 10, by means of a, T 9 and a pipe-10 By providing the relatively small outlet 6, the drawing 'ofi of the exhaust from the cylinder 5', is so;gradual as to efiect a constant cushioning, which obviates all vibration, jerking and pounding of the head during its upward and vdov vntendants. The size of the ort 6, may be varied to suit diflerent gra es of work'and' to efiectdifl'erent speeds-of travel of the head 4, but in either case should be smaller than the ports 66.

12 represents a cage-like guard, which con forms generally to the plan of the'head and buck, and iscomposed of upright ribs 12', to which are secured a number of spaced horizontal guard-bars or slats 12, the latter being curved at their opposite ends for shielding the ends oft he head and buck. The

guard12 is employed for the safety of the operator, in that it protectshis hands from contact with the heated head and buck. The guard also serves the usefulpurpose of affording novel and simple means for controlling the valve 6, and supplant s the renal pedals, operating "levers and; like parts here-' tofore employed for the purpose. The guard- 12 is mounted upon the forward end of a lever orarm 12 which is also ivoted on the axles 44", preferably outsi e of thearm 4' that supports the-head. The-rear end of the lever 12" is fitted with a-counterweight- 12 which substantially balances the guard,

and-with aperforated lug 12, to which is pivoted a link 7,'-that extends downward]? and is pivoted to anarm/Z" of the be crank 7. By this arrangement of the parts,

the raising and lowering'of the guard sets in motion the main operatingxpistons' ti, I

for eflectingthe raising and lowering of.

the head 4, ,as described. By this use ,of'.

the guard 12, no other lever or means is required for manually operating or control ling the power driven parts. To-start the pressing or ironing operation, the operator pulls downwardly on the guard, by means of a handle 12", and as the guard approaches the end of the stroke, the steam carried by chamber 6' discharges into the lower end of cylinder 5 through pipe 5', and moves the piston 5 in the direction for lowering the head 4 toward the buck 3, for efiecting the pressing.

13 represents a member which is employed for automatically locking the head 4 in the. elevated or released position forpreventing its accidental descent in case the steam pressure fails or is shut off. The locking member 11; comprises an elongated bar oripart, one end of which is pivoted to the frame portion 2', by means'of a bolt 13. The opposite end of said member com rises a hook 13, which is arranged to ravitate into the" path of the projecting and pivots the piston rod 5 to the arm 4 (see Figs. 2 and 3). The locking member 13 is controlled by an arm 7 of the bell-crank 7, which is in constant engagement with a pin 13 carried. by said member. The arrangement of the locking member 13 is such that during the initial downward movement of guard 12, the latter rocks the bell-crank in the direction for lifting the hook 13 clear of the pin 4, an instant before the head starts its downward or pressing movement. The member 13 is then held released as long as the head 4 remains on the buck (see Figs. 2, 3, and 6). When the pressing is done, the operator lifts the guard 12 toward the dotted position, shown in Fig. 2. This rocks the .bell-crank 7 in the opposite direction and allows the member 13 to gravitate into the path of the pin 4 an instant before the said pin swings inwardly, as from the full line position of Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3, and when the pin 4 finally makes frictional contact with hook 13, it lifts the member 13, sufliciently to pass beneath the said hook. Member 13, then gravitates to the locking position, and holds the head 4 elevated, as shown by the dotted lines in Fi 2. This lowering of member 13 to the loclring position is timed to be efiected by the initial upward movement of guard 12, which does not effect the release of the steam from the chamber 6 for raisingthe head 4, until the guard approaches the end of its upward stroke, as explained.

The operator may arrest the downward or pressing inovement of the head'during any stroke and cause the head toreturn to the release position by simply swinging the guard 12 upwardly for reversing the travel of the head, as described. 7

My power press ironer is extremely simple. and may be operated at less expense, and by fewer parts than anv other machine of the class known to me. The provision of the novel fluid pressure controlling valve 6, which is operated by the guard 12, and which is provided with the relatively small exhaust port 6, which is expressly calculated for elfecting a constant cushioningv within the pressing cylinder 5', and chamber 6 ofthe valve, whereby the 'head'4 is caused to move upwardlvand downwardly at a constant predetermined speed, and is restrained from dangerous rapid or jerky movements during the pressing operations, tends to adequately safeguard the operator and prevents jarring andwearing of the machine. I am aware that guards similar to of the pin 4, whichv the art 12 have heretofore been used in connection with ress ironers, but I- am not aware that sue guards have been employed as the sole means for starting, stopping and otherwise controlling the entire working mechanism,"as well as the heating and-the scaven ing of the head and buck. Furthermore,- y my method of heating the press ing elements by utilizing the exhaust from the primary cylinder 5', I am able to greatly simplify, as well as reduce the cost of operating the press, and at the same time eliminate a number of parts, including'the mulheated movable head-and stationary buck, a

steam cylinder for operating the said head, a

manually rockable cage-like guard surrounding the head and buck, a valve for supplying steam to said cylinder, means operated by said guard to actuate the valve, and means controlled bysaid guard for locking the head in inoperative position.

2. A press ironer including a movable head and a buck, a steam cylinder for operating one of said elements, means for controlling the steam comprising a valve, means for locking said element in inoperative posi-' tion. a rockable guard for shielding the head and buck, and means actuated by the guard to operate said valve and to control said locking means.

3. A press 1roner comprising a movable head and a buck, a steam cylinder for operating the head, means for locking the head in inoperative position, a reciprocatable valve for controlling the flow of the steam to and from said cylinder, :1 rockable guard, means actuated by the guard for operating said valve and means actuated-by the guard for releasing the said locking means in ad,-

vance of the downward movements of the head.

4. In a clothes pressing machine, the combination with the heated head and buck and steam actuated means including a cylinder for moving the head towards and from the buck, of a valve adapted to receive steam from a boiler, said valve comprising asteam chamber and a valve chamber, the said chambers being in constant communication with each other by means of unrestricted portsv and the valve chamber beingconnected with'the opposite ends of said cylinder, a bell-crank for operating the valves, a guard for the head and buck "operative; ly connected with said bell-crank, a locking member and means to actuate the locking member by said bell-crank.

5. A press ironer, comprising a movable head, a buck, a steam cylinder having a pis-: ton therein for operating the head, a control for said piston, comprising a chamber and a reciprocatable valve therein, said chamber communicating with the opposite ends of said cylinder and having a small port controlled by said valve adapted to restrict the flow of the exhaust from the cylinder, for

y and buck for operating said valve.

preventing rapid and jerky movements of the head, and a rockable. guard for the head 6. A clothes press machine comprising a movable head and a uck, a steam cyllnder for actuating the -head,'a valve for supplying steam to said cylinder, said valvehaving a relatively small port adapted to effect theslow escape of the exhaust from said linder, means-forlocking the head .in the c elevated position, and a guard surrounding 4 the head and buck adapted to be raised and lowered manually for effecting corresponding movements of the head, and means to of less area'than the saidports ada ted to" retard the-flow of the exhaust of sai cylinder for efiecting' the steady and noiseless strokes of the head, a double valve in said chamber, the space between said valves being in constant communication with said outlet and alternately communicating with said ports for drawing the exhaust from said cylinder, and a rockable guard protecting the head and buck and operatively connecting with said valves.

8. In a power press ironer, a head and a buck, means to operate the head, a guard --for the head, means operated bythe guard for etfecting'actuation of the'said head operating means, and means controlled by the guard for locking position.

9. In a power press iron'er, ahead and a;

buck, means to operatethe .head, a guard for the head, means operated by the guard for effecting actuation'of the said head 0 v crating means, and means controlled by t e guard forlocking the operating means of the head in inoperative position'and for releasing the lockin means to. permit .downward movement 0 the head.

10, In a power press ironer, a head and a buck, means-to operate the head, a guardthe head in inoperative for the head-havinga handle attached therc- I I to for operation-of the guard, and means operated by'theguard for solely effect 1 operating means.

both starting and stopping ofthe said hea Q In testimony whereof I afiin my signa-' r WILLIAM J. LEWIS. 

